From One Direction Fan to Zayn Collaborator: Ayra Starr Relives ‘Surreal’ Career Moment

For Ayra Starr, recording a song with Zayn Malik was more than another major collaboration. It was a moment that connected her present-day success with a dream she had as a schoolgirl.

The Afrobeats star described working with the former One Direction member on ‘Heaven Baby’ as one of the most surreal experiences of her career.

The song features on her new album, ‘Starrgirl’, and brought her together with an artiste she once admired as a devoted One Direction fan.

Ayra recalled spending part of her school years writing One Direction lyrics in her notebooks, never imagining that she would eventually share a song with one of the group’s former members.

She said the collaboration reminded her of how distant some dreams can appear before they become reality.

“I spent some of my school days writing their lyrics in my notebooks,” she said.

According to the singer, having a song with Zayn was once a distant ambition, making its eventual realisation particularly meaningful.

The experience became even more significant when Ayra met Zayn in person during the filming of the ‘Heaven Baby’ music video.

She described the encounter as both shocking and unforgettable, given her long-standing admiration for the singer.

Beyond reflecting on her own experience, Ayra used the moment to encourage young people pursuing seemingly distant ambitions.

She urged them to remain committed to their goals and continue putting in the work, even when the outcome appears unlikely.

For the singer, the collaboration serves as a reminder that aspirations that seem out of reach can eventually become reality through persistence and dedication.

The release of ‘Starrgirl’ adds another milestone to Ayra Starr’s growing international profile, with the singer continuing to expand her collaborations beyond Nigeria’s Afrobeats scene.